Irish researchers hope to win share of €79bn fund

The €79bn EU research budget will be launched in Dublin next month to Irish researchers and industry who hope to win about €1bn in funding over the next seven years.

Research Minister Sean Sherlock, who helped negotiate the package, said the Government hoped to win almost double the €572m that has been drawn down mainly by third-level institutions and industry in the past six years.

Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, who is in charge of research, innovation and science, will take part in the Dublin launch of the fund, known as Horizon 2020, in the Convention Centre on Dec 10 to explain the new programme and opportunities available.